Today, Altria Group, Inc. (Altria) has released its results for the fiscal six-month period and the fiscal quarter ended 30 June 2012. Altria's results include a reference to earnings for the quarters and six-month periods ended 30 June 2012 and 2011 from Altria's 26.99% economic and voting investment in SABMiller plc, expressed in US GAAP at prevailing exchange rates.

The amount disclosed for the six-month period ended 30 June 2012 is US$743 million (six-month period ended 30 June 2011: US$344 million). The amount disclosed for the quarter ended 30 June 2012 is US$223 million (quarter ended 30 June 2011: US$155 million). Investors should note that these financial results are derived from management accounts, have not been audited and may be subject to change. There are a number of differences concerning the timing of recognition of results as well as differences relating to the accounting treatment of share-based payments, exceptional items, the definition of the US GAAP statutory earnings as reported by Altria compared with SABMiller's results as reported under IFRS, as well as the inclusion within Altria's earnings of gains on the dilution of Altria's investment in SABMiller following the issue of new SABMiller shares pursuant to share option exercises.